Literal translation
as long as he's turning, he's making turns
Meaning
as long as he's at it, he does nothing else
Explanation
This expression describes a person who, as long as they are busy with one activity, does nothing else, or who wastes time endlessly repeating the same useless motions without moving forward on what actually matters. The literal image plays on the deliberate repetition of vira, to turn, to veer, and tour, which can mean a knack, a trick, or a turn in sequence: as long as someone is turning, they are mechanically producing turns, like an object in continuous rotation that never advances toward a goal but endlessly performs the same circular movement. This verbal redundancy mimics through sound itself the repetitive, fruitless nature of the activity described. The expression is used in two related senses: to say that someone busy with a minor task is indeed doing nothing else meanwhile, or to tease someone who wanders into pointless occupations, searching for something or endlessly restarting the same task while more urgent matters wait. The register is familiar, often used with a touch of affectionate irritation toward someone, especially a child or a relative, whose fruitless fidgeting is being observed.